Unhappy Meals: 8 Terrible Fast-Food Choices for Kids

1 of 9

The Unhealthy Truth Behind Fast Food for Kids

Fast-food joints make it seem so easy: Pull up, order a colorfully packaged box (emblazoned with a smile, no less), and—poof!—dinner is served. But behind the relentless commercials, grinning clowns, and movie-themed toys lies a grim reality. Fast-food kids’ meals are junk.

And it’s no laughing matter. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 30 years, according to the CDC. Yet we’re increasingly turning to these restaurants for meals: In 2011 the top 15 U.S. fast-food chains made a combined $115 billion in sales, reports Business Insider.

So what exactly are we feeding our kids? Click through to see some of the worst offenders. You might just decide to eat at home tonight.

Photo: Peter Cade/Getty Images

Wendy’s Cheeseburger with Fries Kids Meal

The girl on the logo looks friendly enough, but Wendy’s serves up 520 calories, 24 grams of fat, and 1,000 milligrams of sodium in their Cheeseburger Kids Meal with Fries.

Photo: Petrr/Creative Commons via Flickr

Jack in the Box Chicken Sandwich Kids Meal

Sorry, parents—chicken isn’t necessarily a healthy choice. The Chicken Sandwich with Curly Fries Kids Meal at Jack in the Box contains a jaw-dropping 610 calories, 32 grams of fat, 1,320 milligrams of sodium and 17 grams of protein.

Photo: Moshee85/Creative Commons via Flickr

Carl’s Jr. Chicken Tenders Kids Meal

Where’s the nutrition in this meal? There are 21 grams of fat, 1,000 milligrams of sodium and 19 grams of protein stuffed into the 420 calories of Carl’s Jr. Chicken Tenders with Fries Kids Meal.

Photo: TheImpulsivebuy/Creative Commons via Flickr

Burger King’s Cheeseburger Kids Meal

The home of the Whopper lives up to its billing: Burger King’s Cheeseburger Kids Meal contains 710 milligrams of sodium, 300 calories, 14 grams of fat and 16 grams of protein. (Though they do get a few points for offering apples with their children’s meals.)

Photo: Stevendepolo/Creative Commons via Flickr

Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chick-n-Strips Kids Meal

Chick-Fil-A's Grilled Chick-n-Strips with Waffle Fries Kids Meal packs a punch: 530 calories, 27 grams of fat and 670 milligrams of sodium.

Photo: AnnieCN &EvelynGiggles/Creative Commons via Flickr

KFC’s Extra Crispy Drumstick with Wedges Kids Meal

Another high-fat chicken meal: There are 450 calories, 25 grams of fat, and 1,200 milligrams of sodium in KFC's Extra Crispy Drumstick with Wedges Kids Meal.

Photo: Rob_Rob2001 & Perry Marco/Creative Commons via Flickr

McDonald’s Cheeseburger Happy Meal

A Cheeseburger Happy Meal from McDonald’s crams 1,050 milligrams of sodium into its box along with 400 calories, 17 grams of fat and 16 grams of protein.

Photo: Karen Bleier/Getty Images

Sonic’s Kids Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tots

Sonic’s Kids Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tots is just plain terrible: 630 calories, 30 grams of fat, 1,600 milligrams of sodium and 16 grams of protein.